The museum, formerly housed on Clay Street, features more than 12,000 square feet across two floors that illustrate the African-American experience in Virginia and beyond.

First-floor exhibits include interactive touchscreens, along with artifacts and panels detailing Emancipation, Reconstruction and the civil rights eras. The second floor will feature national traveling exhibitions, and a multimedia research room will open later this year.

Museum director Tasha Chambers said the museum has been the only one in the city focused on telling and preserving African-American history in the state for 34 years.

Starting May 10, the museum will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays by appointment only. Admission will cost $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students with IDs, $6 for kids ages 3-12, and free for kids age 2 and younger.